Toyota Hybrid is One Solution to Air Pollution

April 2, 2014; The UK woke up this morning to government pollution alerts across the
country. The elderly and those with respiratory diseases are advised to
stay indoors while pollution levels hit new highs across parts of central
England and the south.

This government warning follows last month’s announcement that
DEFRA was being fined by the European Union for failing to tackle high
levels of pollution in the UK, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Studies
show that a significant contributor to NO2 emissions in the UK is road
transport, particularly diesel engine powered vehicles.

Toyota has pioneered a technology to assist in answering to this
particular issue. Emissions from Toyota hybrid vehicles – which mate
a conventional petrol engine to an electric motor – contain no
particulates, very low levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx), including nitrogen
dioxide, and emit lower levels of CO2 than equivalent powered diesel engine
rivals.

Extolling the many benefits of hybrids, Toyota’s Fleet Services
General Manager Neil Broad, said “Diesel-engine vehicles are a major
source of harmful pollution – despite using catalytic converters and
filters, which are expensive to buy and service. With a petrol full hybrid,
particulate emissions are entirely eliminated and NOx levels are on average
a tenth of the diesel limit set by the forthcoming Euro 6
legislation.”

Toyota is highlighting hybrid’s ability to run entirely on
electric at low speeds and cleaner exhaust emissions with a ‘Stop
Smoking for Good’ campaign. An information pack
about hybrid vehicles, that apes the aesthetic of kits sent to cigarette
smokers who are trying to kick their habit, is being sent to fleet managers
across the UK.

Neil Broad said: ”The UK needs to improve its air quality and the
government is considering radical solutions to the problem. Our message is
that you don’t need to be radical; instead you can quit smoking for
good by choosing petrol hybrid over diesel. The right choice is a vehicle
that minimises damage to lives, health and the environment. Thankfully, in
the case of petrol hybrids, that choice also makes complete economic sense
and is available today.”

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